In this paper the burst tests performed as part of the development of the DNV RP-FI01 "Corroded Pipelines" are presented. The RP (Recommended Practice) gives guidance for the assessment of corroded pipelines, and covers pipelines subject to internal pressure, internal pressure combined with longitudinal compressive stresses, single defects, interacting defects and complex shaped defects. The RP is applicable to both onshore and offshore pipelines. The RP is a result of a co-operation between BG Technology and DNV. The results from their initial respective joint industry projects have been merged, and form the technical basis for RPF10|. Several oil companies and regulating authorities have sponsored the development of RP-IZI01. The burst tests performed as part of the DNV joint industry project are presented in this paper. A total of twelve tests were performed in DNV's laboratory at Hovik, Norway. The tests focused mainly on combined loading (bending moment or axial compression) of a single corrosion defect. DNV finds it beneficial for the industry as a whole that the results obtained from the tests are being published and made available.
Ageing pipelines may develop corrosion defects, which may lead to failure of the pipeline. Reliable criteria are needed to confirm the integrity of pipeline systems, and in order to develop and validate present and possible future criteria, tests results are of vital importance. In the early stage of investigating the capacity of corroded pipelines it was acknowledged that publicly available tests were not sufficient for development of an improved criterion. The reasons for this were the lack of detailed information for some of the tests, low-grade materials and some other special conditions making the test results not suitable as a basis for an improved failure criterion.
